Cohen kids treated to ‘North Pole Flight’

US Airways at LaGuardia Airport has been sending young patients on a “Fantasy Flight” to the North Pole since 1981. On Saturday December 4, their 29th flight took off just in time for the holiday season.
The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, formerly named the Schneider Children’s Hospital, joined Santa, family and friends to ring in the holiday season.
Richard Galante, a social worker with the Cohen Children’s Medical Center, has been involved with the “Fantasy Flight” since it first started.
“They [the children] are awe-struck,” he said. “They’re our wonder and our life of joy here today.”
Galante enjoyed the day with the young patients and their families.
On board as a volunteer helper was Gena Bradshaw, a 17-year-old cancer survivor who was a patient at the hospital. When Bradshaw was three-and-a-half years old, she was diagnosed with Leukemia. She said she took the Fantasy Flight 12 years ago and came back to help out.
Bradshaw’s father, Tucker, said, “My wife and I remember coming here when Gena had Leukemia. They had this [same] ride to the North Pole. We came back to help out.”
Children boarded the plane with excitement. As the fantasy flight took off, volunteers worked together preparing for their return.
Santa, family and friends sang holiday songs and greeted them at Gate 12.
Dorothy Tsarouhas, Station Coordinator of US Airways, said the event was great. “It’s all about the kids faces. When they see Santa Claus walk out that door, that’s why we do it. We do it for the children.”